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The Influence of Different Directions on Student Ratings of Instruction

Author(s):
Centra, John A.
Publication Year:
1975
Report Number:
RB-75-28
Source:
ETS Research Bulletin
Document Type:
Report
Page Count:
14
Subject/Key Words:
College Students, Educational Research, Rating Scales, Teacher Evaluation

Abstract

Do students evaluate instruction differently depending on their understanding of the intended use of the results? Rating theory and results from related research led to the prediction that ratings would be more lenient when students were informed that the results would be used for tenure, salary, or promotion purposes, than when told that the results would be used only by the instructor for improvement. Data were collected in 16 classes in spring 1974, and from 25 classes the following fall semester. Every other student in each class received alternate directions. In general, the differences due to the different directions were not especially large or consistent. (14pp.)

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